Reviews

Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson

phil629's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

charlibirb's review against another edition

2.0

One of the most flat books ever. Couldn't empathize with any of the 2D characters. What was even the goal of the characters?

encal202's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

nathan_mg9's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lisamleb's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

siolence's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kensingtonska's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

smiorganbaldhead's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed the book. It’s hard to summarize my thoughts on it, as I’m still mulling it over a few days later. However, that’s a good thing in itself: it’s certainly thought provoking. As many have pointed out, Thomas himself is not a likable character (and often even detestable). However, he is an interesting character. His flaws and harmful actions are important to the story, and highlight the heroism of many of the supporting characters. Still, I understand why many readers are put off by him. He’s even less likable than more typical anti-hero types. For me though, choosing such a character as the protagonist allows Donaldson to tell a very different and interesting spin on a heroic fantasy epic.

rrread's review against another edition

If you want to read an isekai with a leper, I think this is the only one.

Hard to rate. I did not understand the main character, but the beauty of the prose carried me through.

wdkilpackiii's review against another edition

5.0

There are certain books that change the course of fantasy forever. Lord Foul's Bane is one of them. This is one of the first books that I think really established a foundation for what I call "realistic fantasy." First, the main character has leprosy. Second, he is taken to a fantasy world and cannot accept that it is anything other than a dream (thus, Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever). The characters are real, complete with flaws, and they make mistakes that can have long-term consequences. It's wonderfully written with characters you love and love to hate. Highly recommended!